GPWF-E Project Update - Issue 24 - May 24

Project Update Issue #24 MAY 2024

At A Glance Rokewood Community Easter Event Free Energy Audits Community Energy Program Community Updates Community Grants Program Construction Update In the News Did You Know?

Welcome to the May 2024 edition of the Golden Plains Wind Farm Community Update Rokewood Community Easter Event Sunday 24 March saw the community come together for the fun and successful Rokewood Easter Event held at the Rokewood Recreation Reserve. Over 200 people attended and were treated to a range of activities, entertainment and, of course, a visit from the Easter Bunny and some sweet treats to enjoy.

A huge shout out to the community who not only attended the event but supported the delivery of such a wonderful initiative. Rokewood CFA, Rokewood Primary School, Rokewood Golf Club, and the Community Reference Group all played key roles in bringing this event to life. We thank you and look forward to working with you in the future to continue to deliver these opportunities for the community.

Free Energy Audits With the colder weather of winter approaching, now is the time to take advantage of a FREE energy audit for eligible residents. These energy audits provide guidance to homeowners and identify how they can save money by understanding their electricity usage and utilise the Scorecard assessment tool.

Discover how the Scorecard can help you, and book your energy audit by visiting:

https://www.geelongsustainability.org.au/project/golden-plains-energy-audit-program/ https://www.geelongsustainability.org.au/project/golden-plains-energy-audit-program/

Community Energy Program The Golden Plains Wind Farm Community Energy Program is available for eligible residents to save up to $1,600 per year (the average energy bill for a Victorian residence) off their energy bill. If your home is habitable and meets the eligibility criteria, you could save $133 monthly when you switch to Energy Locals as your electricity provider.

Sign up takes less than ten minutes and can be done by visiting https://energylocals.com.au/golden-plains-wind-farm.

We will be out to visit all eligible properties in the coming months

What People Are Saying ‘Even with a couple of fridges for drinks and dog food, I don’t have to worry about paying an energy bill… which means I can put my dollars to better use!” – Carolyn Rankin, Rokewood

Community Updates The Community Benefits Scheme (CBS) continues to be made available to all eligible residents. For more information on any of the programs being offered, contact Mark Bruty – Community Engagement Manager on 0491 617 649 or via markb@w-wind.com.au.

You can also find Mark in the Community Office at the Hesse Health Building on Ferrars Street on Thursdays. Drop in for a chat and get the latest updates on the project and the community benefits.

Mark Bruty at the Ferrars Street office.

Community Grants Program The first round of Community Grants is now open! Last year saw a record number of applications for some fantastic projects, programs, events, and other initiatives. We now invite you to submit your application for consideration by the Community Reference Group.

Visit https://goldenplainswindfarm.com.au/communityfunding/ to download your application pack and to see some of the previously funded projects that have been delivered thanks to the Community Grant Program.

For these and all other Community Benefits, contact Mark Bruty – Community Engagement Manager on 0491 617 649 or markb@w-wind.com.au.

Construction Update No doubt you will have seen a number of wind turbines ‘pop up’ across the landscape. With three main cranes on site and a specialist crew undertaking the turbine erection process, we now have 21 completed turbines (17%) at the Golden Plains Wind Farm.

New turbines at Golden Plains Wind Farm. Photo: Thomas Darker

Civil Progress In a significant milestone for the Golden Plains Wind Farm - East, all wind turbine foundations have now been poured, with the final foundation completed on April 24. Of these, 117 have also been backfilled with just 5 remaining to be done.

Another significant milestone for the project access tracks to all wind turbines have now been completed. That’s 102km of access track cleared, treated and paved. What a fantastic result!

Construction continues with more turbines being erected each week

Wind Turbine Installation Progress is continuing at a rapid rate. There are 35 complete sets of wind turbines currently on site and another delivery of components from GeelongPort arrived in early May. Electrical and Grid Progress Electrical works have been progressing well also and we are expecting to energise the wind farm assets around mid-August. We will continue to update landholders and the community on the progress of this as it approaches.

Progress Snapshot

Construction of the Cressy Terminal Station continues on schedule.

122 wind turbine sites excavated

122 blindings complete

122 sets of anchor cages installed

Steel reinforcement installed in 122 foundations

122 foundation pours complete

117 foundations now backfilled

Components at Site Component

At Site

Installed

Tower section 1 (base)

41

41

Tower section 2

42

29

Tower section 3

42

28

Tower section 4

41

22

Tower section 5

41

22

Tower section 6

50

21

Nacelle

35

21

Powertrain

42

21

Hub

52

21

Blade

162

63

3

87,840m of concrete has been used on site

960,000 tonnes of rock have been utilised to date

In the News More than 500,000t of Vestas wind turbine equipment has travelled through GeelongPort to the $2 billion 756MW Golden Plains Wind Farm, which is being developed by TagEnergy.

GeelongPort’s General Manager Commercial, Elias Anastasiou, said that the port was thrilled to mark the 500,000th tonne of wind turbine equipment bound for stage one of the Golden Plains Wind Farm.

“Over the past six months, we have seen experts across the entire supply chain working together to deliver the components to Rokewood and bring us another step closer to generating more clean energy for Victoria,” Mr Anastasiou said.

“Each blade is half the length of the MCG, so it’s no easy feat to move them safely and efficiently.”

During the project’s first stage, known as Golden Plains Wind Farm – East, GeelongPort will receive 1,464 components on 21 individual shipments.

Read more

Did you know?

There is a two-person elevator installed inside each wind turbine to take service technicians to the top of the tower (150m) in approximately 10 minutes!

Office 4 Nexus Centre, 17 Goode Street GISBORNE VIC 3437

info@goldenplainswindfarm.com.au

(03) 5421 9999

goldenplains.com.au

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